Thesis (Ph. D.)--Columbia University. / Published also without thesis note. Includes bibliographical references (p. [131]-133).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Columbia University. / Published also without thesis note. Includes bibliographical references (p. [131]-133).

Originally presented as the author's thesis (doctoral) - Universität Bremen, 2009. / Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (p. 391-400) and index.

In this paper I have shown the ways in which Schelling thinks through and posits a new conception of freedom. Freedom is reconsidered as the constitutive element of creation, rather than as a derivative property. His investigations into human freedom take into account both a pantheistic world-view and a reconsideration of the meaning of "identity". Specifically, I have shown that Schelling revitalizes these old doctrines in order to maintain their status as living. In this vein we are given over to a reconsideration of the Creation as it relates to freedom. In this paper I focus on Schelling's elaboration on the nature of human freedom and the meeting of necessity and freedom in the person. The "system" of freedom reaches a crucial point in the human being's capacity for good and evil, wherein freedom and necessity intertwine in the will of the individual.

During the middle third of the nineteenth century, the British Government appointed an average of over six royal commissions annually. These commissions examined issues ranging from the use of child labour in factories to Malta and the Civil List. They played a significant role in what is now known as the 'Age of Reform', and during this period they developed a reputation for presenting reports which were both illuminating and useful. Unfortunately, since that time royal commissions have inspired only a very few of the more significant social and constitutional reforms. Used but infrequently, commissions have lost their reputation for constructive inquiry and are now known less for what they have accomplished than for what they have not. This study examines the British royal commission as it is used at the present time, and concludes that it is still a viable method of Government inquiry. The royal commission retains a significant role within the framework of the British Constitution and, used properly, can be an effective means of promoting consensus between the Government and the governed. There has, however, been a distinct tendency for Governments to misuse the royal commission -- to appoint them when they were unnecessary or to appoint them to forestall reform -- with the result that a number of recent investigations have been unsatisfactory. Of the thirty-seven commissions which have reported since 1935, sixteen were completely successful and fulfilled their constitutional role effectively. Seven presented worthwhile reports on which no action was taken. Seven submitted inadequate reports which, although their recommendations were carried out, failed to deal effectively with the problems they were studying. And seven did not complete their investigations or did so in such a fashion that their reports must be considered inferior and their recommendations unusable. Analysis of thirty-five of those commissions indicates that there is a significant correlation between some of the characteristics of royal commissions and commission success. From this analysis and from general consideration of recent commissions, the conclusion seems inescapable that unless the Government sets up a commission with the intention of acting on the basis of its report, the commission's chances of success are very slight. If, however, the Government intends to act on the problem under consideration, takes adequate care to appoint the most appropriate type of commission, and provides that commission with adequate funds and advice, the royal commission can fulfill its constitutional role successfully. Because the royal commission remains a viable -- albeit intermittent -- part of the British Governmental system, this study concludes that the Government, commissioners themselves, and Parliament should make every effort possible to prevent its falling into disuse. The increasing complexity of society makes it unlikely that the commission will ever again have the opportunity to initiate the number of reforms with which it has been credited during the nineteenth century. Nevertheless, used effectively it may be able to retain its position within the British constitutional framework and to regain its reputation for constructive inquiry. / Arts, Faculty of / Political Science, Department of / Graduate

ABSTRACT Pyruvate kinase is an essential enzyme in the anaerobic glycolytic pathway of the erythrocyte. The clinical presentation of this enzyme deficiency is due to the haemolytic process that results from the inability of erythrocytes to generate sufficient ATP. Although pyruvate kinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiencies comprise more than 90% of all reported red cell enzyme disorders worldwide, the epidemiology of the disease in South Africa is unknown and there is no assay for pyruvate kinase activity currently being used in South Africa. This report describes the implementation of screening and quantitative assays for pyruvate kinase activity in the Red Cell Membrane Unit at the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School / NHLS. The accuracy, precision and reproducibility of the assay were verified. Furthermore, a patient with pyruvate kinase deficiency was confirmed and found to have 15% of normal enzyme activity at 37oC. The genetic abnormality was identified as a homozygous G1529A point mutation in exon 11 of the pyruvate kinase gene and to the candidate’s knowledge is the first mutation described in a South African kindred. The patient’s mother was heterozygous for the G1529A mutation and demonstrated an enzyme activity of 58% of normal at 37oC.

No description available.

Thesis (doctoral)--Philipp-Universität zu Marburg.

The next generation of Bollgard® cotton was evaluated for agronomic and insecticidal efficacy under central Arizona growing conditions. Two novel lines were compared with their recurrent parents, DP50 and DP50B. There were no seasonlong differences observed among the varieties in most plant development and insect parameters. However, DP50 had significantly lower emergence than the other lines tested (possibly related to seed quality). The lower plant population may have been responsible for greater whitefly abundance observed on two dates mid-season. During early-season ratings of secondary “pests” (15 DAP) (scaled on damage and/or presence), the two test lines received lower ratings for thrips and flea beetle when compared with DP50, DP50B and DP50Bu (untreated for Lepidoptera). However, these difference are likely as a result of the difference in seed treatments that the two test lines received (Gaucho®) and the others did not. This seed treatment does have known activity against thrips and beetle pests. In mid-season, the two test lines received lower ratings for beet armyworm when compared to DP50, DP50B and DP50Bu (although, not significantly different from DP50B or DP50Bu). Efficacy against pink bollworm (PBW) was assessed one time at the end of the season (we were limited to this time, so as to not affect yield), and DP50 was the only variety in which PBW exit holes were observed and PBW larvae collected. However, the low Lepidoptera pressure experienced during the season limited assessments of the two novel lines’ efficacy toward PBW. There was no significant difference in yield (bale/A) among the varieties. Although, one of the test lines had a lower lint turnout than each other variety. The two novel Bollgard lines performed well under our growing conditions, but continued evaluations will be necessary under more conditions and more insect pressures before “varietal” performance and gene efficacy can be assessed adequately.

Green bolls (100/field) were sampled from the uppermost internodes within adjacent fields of Bt (Deltapine 33B) and non-Bt refuge (Hyperformer HS 44 or Deltapine 20) experiencing severe pink bollworm pressure late in the growing season. Evidence of 3rd instar or larger pink bollworm larvae survival was higher in susceptible bolls sampled from transgenic Bt cotton late in the 1998 growing season, compared to that observed late in the 1997 growing season.